Living the Local Life

Proudly claiming 13.2 miles of Route 66, the southeast corner of Kansas offers some unique & quirky spots to check out while in the area. Whether striking a pose or just sticking to the facts, ma'am, many Route 66 fans get their kicks with these throwback interests.
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  • Galena, KS Galena Mining & Historic Museum ᐧ 319 W 7th Street, Galena (3.8 miles from home) Temporary Hours: Re-opening June 15. Open M-W-F 10am -4 pm “Housed in the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas train depot, the Galena Mining & Historical Museum contains items of local history &  artifacts from the days of lead & zinc mining. Experience Galena’s amazing comeback story…& how a series of road trips by Pixar animators led to the discovery of one their most popular and beloved characters making Galena one of the ‘must see’ destinations for international Route 66 travelers.” -Galenaks.gov
  • Cars on the Route ᐧ 119 N Main Street, Galena (4.4. miles from home) An old Kan-O-Tex service station featuring several vehicles, including the mining boom truck that inspired the character "Tow Mater" in Radiator Springs from the Pixar movie, Cars. 
  • Southeast Kansas Nature Center ᐧ 3511 S Main Street, Galena (6.3 miles from home) Currently requiring by-appointment-only visits due to COVID-19. View native animal and plant exhibits, a large collection of Native American artifacts and live insects and reptiles. Call 620-783-5207 to schedule a visit for your group. 
  • 3 State Marker Another one for the Gram! Stand in MO/OK/KS all in one spot! From Galena, go South on KS-26 toward Downstream Casino. At the traffic circle, exit onto Downstream Blvd. Turn on the very first left on the gravel road. The marker is approximately 1/4 mile down at the dead end.
Marsh Arch Bridge (Rainbow Bridge) 
Baxter Springs Visitor Center
3-State Marker
Baxter Springs, Kansas
  • Marsh Arch Bridge ᐧ (2.5 Miles from home) One of the few remaining Marsh Arch Bridges, this bridge is Instagram- worthy. Also called Rainbow Bridge, it’s the only drivable marsh arch bridge on Route 66!
  • The Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum ᐧ 740 East Avenue, Baxter Springs (4.3 miles from home) Filled with exhibits depicting the various stages of the city's history from the days of the Osage Indians through the Civil War and the lead and zinc mining era. Exhibits include artifacts from Quantrill’s Raid on Ft. Blair, The Black Experience, Baseball History, & Route 66! 
  • Decades of Wheels Car Museum & Complex ᐧ 1111 Military Ave. Baxter Springs (4.5 miles from home) “Rotating display of vehicles and motorcycles, you'll [see] representatives from the 1900 era of the automotive history to the latest leading-edge vehicles of today. It's all here, including historically significant cars and motorcycles, muscle/performance cars. We have movie cars that make a big statement, too! Spend the day with us, enjoying Decades of Wheels Car Museum, Spinout Arcade, Rita's Roost Bistro & Sweet Shop…” -decadesofwheels.com